The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-10-07
"YOrk Town"
What was done in York Town, Pa, in
HITS.

An extract from Chauncy T. Blacks
York Centennial OratiOn is as follows :
When the Continental Congress was
driven from Philadelphia by the ap-
proach of the British army under Howe,
what place more appropriate for it's
refuge than patriotic Yorktown. / like
to call IL y NOTktOJCn, for that is the word
in the date lines over letters written toy
Adams. Hancock Laurens and their
cOmpatriOts through nearly a year OF
that glorious struggle. The Congress
came in September 1T17, aud remained
until June us. 1t WIS the giOOmiest
year OF the war. Some relief came with
the surrender OF Burgoyne. but even
that priceless victory was we'll nigh turn
ed 10 disaster by the conspiracy which
it encouraged against Washington.
1t was The winter of Valley FOrge-the
winter Of inteEsest suffering "a the
Southern army, and OF sorest grief and
trial TO the pure soul of its leader. The
communications between the various
armies and this, the capital. were con-
stant, and by the swiftest means then
known. COarIers were constantly gal
loplng ia and out. officers were hurry
ing hithar with reports and back with
instructions. There were many camps
camps OF patriot recruits, camps OF
Hessians and camps OF the Convention
men. II was a busy scene, that which
passed daily about the State House, and
the Office OF the Board of War, and the
printing presses OF Congress, IN the
Square Of old Yorktown. Here came
Gates with his CAV Tetinue. after the
splendid achievements OF the Northern
army, tOpreside over the BOa-d OF War,
and 10 take those cruel secret measures
/ against his august chieftain which
c!Ouded forever the Just renOwn of his
otherwise GLORIOUS name. Here came
I Lafayette 10 take the orders of Congress.
and to drink confusion to the enemies
| OF Washington. Here Paine, Secreta-
~ TO the Board of War, wrote import
ant numbers OF the immortal "crisis. -
| Here eliminated COnway's caba!, and
| here IL was resolved, once for all, that
I George Washington should be sustained
\ by his cOuntry-and than this is nothing
| really more momsntous ever occurred
| IN the history OF the continent Here
| Hancock left the chair and Lsurens took
/ IL Here John Adams, whom jefferson
4 loved TO describe as "Our Colossus, -
I LETT Congress and the Board Of War
/ and started on his mission to France.
/ Here the Articles of Confederation were
/ finally considered, adopted and pro-
| prOsed to the States-a step OF immeasu-
/ rable importance toward the complete
! Union We now enjoy. II nothing OF
| historic Interest had ever occurred in
\ York except this adoption of the articles,
/ and the inal triumph Of Washington in
! the civil councils or the COnfedsTacy,
! they would have been enough TO confer
/ imperishable honor upon the place.
\ Washington" as Webster spoke 1t,
'is in the clear upper sky" and his
| immortal character is the treasure not
! OF his country only but OF mankind.
| Our Union is equally secure, and We re-
! pose under the protection of just. reg
ular and powerful GOvernment-dis-
/ turbed by none of the weaknesses and
! dangers which confronted our fathers
when their representatives assembled at
/ York in the dark days of l777.